Different bra types & styles to suit your look

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What bra style should I wear?

Strapless and multiway bras

Multiway bras come with detachable straps, perfect for creating different looks and types of support. You can also find multiway bras for backless dresses that come with low backs to provide discreet support. Meanwhile, strapless bras come without straps, making them most people’s port of call for strapless dresses and shirts.

T-shirt bras

As one of the more popular choices of underwear for women, T-shirt bras are the perfect everyday bra. They’re designed to have a smooth look that isn’t as detectable under fitted t-shirts, dresses and other tops, and are available in both wired and non-wired options.

Plunge bras

If you have a low-cut dress that you want to wear a bra with, then a plunge bra is a great option. Designed to be low-cut at the centre, they’re undetectable under your low-cut clothes, while still providing lift and support.

Balcony bras

Sometimes referred to as a balconette bra, balcony bras offer a rounded shape and a little less coverage than standard bras, and they’re also great for everyday wear too. One way to wear a balcony bra is under low-cut clothing that isn’t dramatic enough to require a plunge bra.

Bralettes

Created with smaller busts in mind, bralettes often come in pretty materials such as lace and silk; many can be worn to intentionally show through your clothes, which makes bralettes a great choice under a cut-out top or a crop top. Most bralettes don’t come with an underwire or much padding—so while they’re pretty, they’re not the most supportive..

Sports bras

If you’re in search of a supportive bra to wear at the gym, then sports bras are your answer. Look for a high-impact or racerback bra for extra support.

Things to look out for when choosing a bra

Bras come in all different shapes and sizes, so it’s important that you find the right fit for your body. A staggering 80 percent of women are currently
wearing the wrong-sized bra—so make sure you’re not one of them with our bra fit guide. Here are some things to look out for when choosing a bra:

How should your bra’s underband fit?

Did you know that 80 percent of your bra’s support comes from the underband? So knowing your measurements is essential! Your new bra should be fitted comfortably on the middle hook and eye with the band sitting parallel around the body, and you should be able to slide two fingers between the band and your back.

How should your bra’s cups fit?

Your bra’s cups play a big part in how comfortably the bra fits; too big, and the bra will gape. Too small, and your cups will bulge. Perfect-fitting cups will sit flat against the rib cage, and your bust will be encased within the cups.

Have you recently changed band size? Remember this handy rule: Up a band size = Down a cup size. Down a band size = Up a cup size.

Padding or no padding

Padded bras are great for providing some extra support, particularly in larger busts. They also help to prevent your nipples showing through the fabric of your clothes. There are plenty of different padding options available, including thicker padding in push-up bras, lighter padding in comfortable, everyday T-shirt bras and non-padding for those with smaller busts.

Wired or non-wired

Wires help give your bra shape and support, making them essential for larger busts. Remember, wired bras are only uncomfortable if they’re the wrong fit! Meanwhile, non-wired bras are a great choice for those with a smaller bust. They offer less structure than a wired bra, but you’ll experience maximum comfort.

Material

Bras come in all different materials and lingerie styles depending on your preference. For an everyday bra, cotton and microfibre materials are a popular material choice, while silks and lace are the perfect, dressier options.

Impact

A bra’s impact determines the support of your bra bra and is rated in three levels for sports bras: low, medium and high. The higher the impact, the more that your sports bra will support you with movements like jumping, running and bending down.

Front or back fastening

Since they’re so easy to get on and off, front-fastening bras are becoming increasingly more popular, though most bras still come with a back fastening. Some bras (particularly bralettes) come with no fastenings at all and are put on over your head.

With your new bra knowledge to help you out, why not take a look through our full collection of women’s bras to see
what catches your eye? Or to complete the look, take a look at Next’s range of knickers.